Combination electrical conduit and bulb socket



p 1 1967 c. R. P. BUSTAMANTE COMBINATION ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND BULBSOCKET Filed Oct. 28, 1964 C Foamra/FBuswmmz vmz mbz ymw ATTORNEYSUnited States Patent 3,341,803 COMBINATION ELECTRICAL CONDUIT AND BULBSOCKET Carlos Roberto P. Bustamante, 4a GP. 40, Santa Ana, El SalvadorFiled Oct. 28, 1964, Ser. No. 407,100 4 Claims. (Cl. 339-21) The presentinvention relates to improvements in combination continuous electricalconduit-outlet prepared from a flexible material. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to an improved combination continuouselectrical conduit-outlet that is particularly suited for massproduction. Specifically, the present invention relates to a novelcombination continous electrical conduit and socket assembly that iseminently suited for decorative, artistic and commercial adaptations.

Many continuous electrical outlets, of both flexible and rigid types,are known in the art that have been proposed for use and placementaround a room, shop, laboratory or other type of enclosure, as aconvenient outlet, to permit the use of lights, electric cleaners, fans,small motors, or any other type of electrical appliances, at any pointabout the room, and to permit their being moved about the room, at will,without the inconvenience of unusually long leads which are unsightlyand a nuisance. Such outlets may be suitably fastened to a wall at thebaseboard, chair rail or any other place that the trim of the room mightsuggest, and may be secured in a vertical or a horizontal position asconvenience may demand.

However, many of the presently known continuous outlets have beenobjectionable for a number of reasons, sometimes because they arediflicult to use, while others have been too costly or difficult tomanufacture. Some of the conduits are not flexible enough to be coiledtherefore making it impractical to form long lengths of such conduitsand store the same. While another objection to the prior art outlets isthat many of them are only suitable for use with electrical applianceshaving plugs and are not suitable for direct use with bulbs.

There is thus a clearly demonstrated need in the art for vastimprovements in the field of combined electrical v conduit-outlets of aflexible and continuous nature.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide animproved flexible continuous electrical conduitoutlet that is notsubject to the defects of prior art structures.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fiexible continuouselectrical conduit-outlet that is not limited or restricted by thelocation of sockets and outlet openings therein.

It is a' further object of this invention to provide a continuouselectrical conduit-outlet (hereinafter referred to simply as a conduit)that is truly flexible and susceptible to a variety of artisticadaptations, and yet will be of economical cost and amenable to massproduction.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novelbaseless electric lamp and outlet plug having terminal contact portionsthat are eminently suitable for use with the new conduit-outlet of thisinvention.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a multi-outletsystem comprising a plurality of baseless lamps and outlet plugs havingwedge-shaped stem press portions at one end and supported by their stempress portions in side-by-side relation in a continuous conductor forfree sliding movement therethrough.

Other objects of this invention, together with an appreciation for theadvantages thereof, will become increasingly apparent as thisdescription proceeds.

Broadly stated, the objects of this invention are accomplished byproviding a central strip of insulating material which is joined withtwo electrically conductive strips connected in turn with outer metalstrips which provide electrical contacts of opposite polarity. Theelectrically conductive members are prepared from an electricallyconductive interior web which is sealed or laminated within aninsulating material, for example, by sandwiching the electricallyconductive web between two plastic insulating layers. The centralinsulating strip may also be of plastic and is attached by adhesivewelding, etc. in abutting relationship to the electrically conductivestrips. The metal strips are attached in any suitable manner to theoutside ends of the electrically conductive strips, such that the stripsare in electrical contact with the conductive webs. The assembly is thenformed into a suitable enclosing shape, defining a longitudinal slit,and may desirably be provided with transverse slits to provideflexibility and permit dividing into a number of flexible portions thatwill each act as a separate bulb or plug receiving electrical socket. Itis also desirable to provide wedge shaped insulating members to insurethat the electrically conductive metal strips do not accidentallycontact one another when the conduit is subjected to compression. A bulband plug, each having a wedge shaped bottom contact portion are alsoprovided to permit insertion between the electrically conductive metalmembers and provide a novel electrical socket-outlet concept.

The assembled electrical conduit is adapted to be used with variouselectrical connections, bulbs, etc., such as a groups of lamps, plugs orother similar type electric devices, formed with protruding stem pressportions from which project the terminal contacts of the lamp. Suchdevices will be slidably supported by their stem press portions inside-by-side relation within the longitudinal slit for free slidingmovement therethrough. According to a further aspect of the invention,the stem press portion of each lamp or plug is wedge-shaped so that eachlamp or plug may be inserted in the longitudinal slit, with the terminalcontacts of the lamp or plug enclosed within the conduit such that theedges of the longitudinal slit elastically grip the stem press portionwith sufficient force to support the lamp or plug in place in theconduit.

Turning now to the drawings in which the same or similar referencenumerals have been used to denote similar parts throughout the severalfigures:

FIGURE 1 isa broken out pictorial view, partly in section, showing thearrangement of parts prior to assembly; FIGURE 2 is a pictorial view,partly in section and similar to FIGURE 1, but showing the parts inassembled position;

FIGURE 3 is a pictorial view showing the arrange? ment of parts after asuitable tube forming operation;

FIGURE 4 is a pictorial view, showing a novel separator that has beendeveloped according to the invention for use therewith;

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the device of the invention, partly insection, and showing a bulb developed according to the invention for usetherewith;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of supporting thestructure according to the invention for illuminating uses;

FIGURE 7 is an embodiment, similar to FIGURE 4, but illustrative of adifferent cross-sectional shape that the invention may take, and furthershowing an electrical plug that has been developed according to theinvention for use therewith; and

FIGURE 8 is another embodiment similar to FIGURES 4 and 7, butillustrating a further cross-sectional shape that may be utilizedaccording to the invention.

In the drawings, there is shown a tubular conduit in which lamps, plugsand the like are slidably mounted. The conduit is formed of a suitableelastic or synthetic material and it is provided with a longitudinalslit extending the full length thereof. This slit is adapted to receivethe flattened sides of the stem press of each lamp or plug which isforcibly inserted with the outer end of the stem press and the wireterminal contacts positioned within the slit edges of the tubularconduit which define the slit to thereby spring apart such edges. Thesprung apart edges thus form a conduit and are thereby caused toelastically grip the stem press of each individual lamp or plug withsuflicient force to hold them in substantial sideby-side row alignmentif desired within the conduit while permitting sliding movement of thelamp therethrough. However, the elastic or spring-like engagement of thelongitudinal edges of the slit serves to lock the lamp or plug in placein the conduit against easy withdrawal. In this manner, the terminalcontacts of each lamp or plug are properly aligned with the electriccurrent supply contacts of the slit edges or continuous socket portionin which they are inserted so as to insure the proper contact of theterminal wire contacts with the electrically conductive socket contacts.

It will thus be understood that the conduits described may beconstructed of any length and in any desired cross section which wouldprovide for the proper disposition of the bulbs, plugs, and the like.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 shows the first stage ofmanufacture wherein a central strip of insulating material (plastic,etc.) is joined with two electrically conductive strips 12 and 14followed by connection with outer metal contact strips 16 and 18. Theelectrically conductive members 12 and 14 are prepared from anelectrically conductive interior web 22 (copper or aluminum wire, etc.)which is sealed or laminated within an insulating material, for example,by sandwiching the electrically conductive web between two plasticinsulating layers 60 and 61. The member 10 may also be of plastic and isattached by adhesive welding, or the like in abutting relationship tothe electrically conductive strips 12 and 14 (see FIGURE 2). The metalstrips 16 and 18 are folded over conductive strips 12 and 14 or areattached in any other suitable manner to the outside edges of theelectrically conductive strips 12 and 14 as shown in FIGURE 2, such thatthe strips 16 and 18 are in electrical contact with the webs 22 alongthe outer edges of the webs.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the assembly of FIGURE 2 is formed into a tubularshape A and is preferably provided with slits at 24 to provideflexibility and divide the tube A into a number of flexible portionsthat will each act as a separate bulb receiving electrical socket. Theelectrical contact providing metal strips 16 and 18 of the tube shapedconduit A in FIGURE 3 are prevented from coming together and creating ashort circuit due to the wedge shaped insulating members 30 which areprovided with a notch to be entered into the opening 28 (see FIGURE 4).

The assembled electrical conduit A is adapted to be used with electricalconnections, bulbs, plugs and the like such as the bulb 40 shown inFIGURE 5 which has wedge shaped bottom contact portion 42 to permit thebulb to be inserted between the metal members 16 and 18 at the opening28 (see FIGURES 3 and 4). FIG- URES 7 and 8 show that the conduit A canalso have other cross sectional configurations such as at B and C. It isthus clear that the present conduit may be of any convenient shape.

The conduit A may be provided with a number of apertures, such as thetransverse apertures 11 or the longitudinal aperture 13 for securing theconduit to various supports. For example, simple securing devices, suchas screws or bolts in combination with the apertures 11 may be used tofasten the conduit to a suitable support. By any suitable means, theoutlet may be secured to a support or wall in any desired position, suchas a hori- 4 zontal position or a vertical position as shown in FIG- URE6.

In FIGURE 6, the mounting illustrated permits the invention to be hungbetween suitable supports, in any desired location. As shown, a rope,cable, wire or the like 63, composed of any suitable or proper material,may be passed through the aperture 13 provided in the conduit member 10to support the conduit.

Referring now to the separators 30, it will be recognized that anydesired number of these outwardly extending separators may be employedin the slit 28 for spacing the conduit sections 12, 16 and 14, 18 apartat their front edges. The separator extends across the slit 28 of theconduit and is held in place by means of the notch 32. Each separator isprovided, at its outer end with at least one curved edge, so that noobstruction will be offered thereto when being inserted between theconduit sections. The dimensions of the separator are also desirable forthe quick and easy insertion of the bulb 40 or plug 50.

Turning now to the bulb 40, there will be seen the usual lead in wiresthrough which the current is carried into the interior of the lamp tothe filament. The lead wires extend from the inside of the glassenvelope out through the bottom of the lamp through a wedge shapedsection 42 of glass which is formed during the normal sealing operationby flattening out a section of the glass envelope just below thespherical portion of the envelope. The wire leads of the illustratedembodiment are then bent out at 44 and 46 on either side of the wedgeshaped section 42 in such a manner as to cause the wire to lie snuglyadjacent to the flattened glass but yet protrude therefrom to asufficient extent to permit the making of a good electrical contactbetween the wire and the electrically conductive metal members 16 and 18which will contact both flattened sides of the wedge shaped glassmember. It is, of course, readily apparent that these contact leadsmight be positioned somewhat differently to obtain the same resultparticularly if the socket opening 28 defined by the members 16 and 18were to be modified accordingly. The other remaining component parts ofthe lamp are for the most part the same as those normally used in theprior art. The two wire conductors lead to the filament which iselectrically connected and secured to each of the wires at their innerend.

The lamp of this invention as shown in the drawings has two distinctivefeatures, the one being that it has entirely eliminated the usualthreaded brass base which is important from the standpoint of cost insaving material. Also, the invention saves some costly processing steps.

Referring now to the plug 50 shown in FIGURE 7, it will be recognizedthat the structure thereof is similar for the most part to thosenormally used in the prior art. However, as with the bulb 40, the usualwire leads terminate in a wedge shaped portion 52 of any suitableinsulating material such that they lie snugly adjacent thereto, but yetprotrude therefrom to a sufficient extent to permit the making of goodelectrical contact between the wire leads and the metal members 16 and18.

In accomplishing its objectives, it will be understood that the conduitforming the object of this invention will have very numerousapplications in the art. For example, owing to the flexibility of theconduit, it is easy to understand that it may be straight, curved orinclined in any position, such that with this device, variouscombinations can be made and beautiful luminous effects can be obtained.Morever, the present conduit can be substituted for various electricalconduits now in use which are subject to defects and objectionspreviously noted.

It should therefore be understood that the present invention may besubject to various changes or modifications that will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of thisinvention.

For example, various plastic materials, including synthetic resins andglass or ceramics, can obviously be substituted for the severalinsulating materials shown in the drawing. It is also contemplated thatthe elements shown may be formed from plastic materials of divergentchemical origins, i.e., difi'erent synthetic resins or from divergentphysical origins, i.e., from granular, fibrous or other particulatematerials, as well as from resin sheet or 5 liquid form resinousmaterials.

It is moreover within the contemplation of this invention that theseveral electrically conductive materials may have various forms. Thus,the metal contacts 16 and 18 may be replaced by any substituents whichwill provide the desired electrically conductive result. The form shownis, however, preferred. It is also recognized that the electricallyconductive webs may be replaced by materials that will be found to actas equivalents. Presently it is preferred that the conduit containselectrically conductive webs formed from interlaced fibers ofelectrically conductive materials, including the various metals andalloys. By interlaced is meant the products formed by textileorientation processes such as carding, lapping, drawing, weaving,knitting, felting, and the like. The web or mesh like products thusformed may also be secured or bonded in various ways. For example, if aloosely woven or cross lapped product is employed, it may be desirableto coalesce, weld, or otherwise secure it at the junctures.

Further, the invention may be subjected to some obvious physicalmodifications. Thus, while the strip material is shown having asubstantially T-shaped configuration, permitting mounting of theinvention according to embodiments using the apertures 11 or 13, it willbe understood that a simpler rectangular cross-section may also beemployed if desired.

Accordingly, this disclosure should only be considered as illustrativeof the invention, and the invention should only be limited to the scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is: a

1. A continuous electrical outlet of tubular strip form comprising astrip of flexible insulating material having a longitudinal continuousslit through its surface, each edge of the slit having a strip ofelectrically conductive sheet metal folded thereon to provide acontinuous electrical contact, and each strip of electrically conductivesheet metal being in electrical contact with an electrically conductiveweb means disposed within said flexible insulating material.

2. A continuous electrical conduit consisting of a tubular element ofinsulating material, said element having a longitudinal slit therein forthe insertion of an incandescent lamp and the like, a pair ofsubstantially continuous electrically conductive conduit means imbeddedin the insulating material of said element for transmitting electricalenergy of opposite polarity from an electrical energy source to oppositeedges of said longitudinal slit, and electrically conductive contactmeans on each of said opposite edges in electrical contact with therespective electrically conductive means for imparting electrical energyof opposite polarity to an incandescent lamp and the like placed incontact therewith.

3. The structure of claim 2 wherein each electrically conductive conduitmeans comprises an electrically conductive web of interlaced fibers ofan electrically conductive material.

4. The structure of claim 2 wherein each electrically conductive contactmeans is a metal strip that is disposed about an edge surface of thelongitudinal slit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,064,199 12/1936 Elder 339-212,108,031 2/1938 Aculf 339-21 2,234,745 3/1941 Von Rarrel 339-212,699,659 1/1955 Haas 339-144 X 2,999,180 9/1961 Howles et al 339-144 X3,064,457 11/1962 Van den Boom et al. 339-20 X 3,118,717 1/1964 Horan339- 3,215,969 11/1965 Verrone 339-21 FOREIGN PATENTS 206,960 1/ 1960Austria. 852,146 10/ 1939 France.

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Examiner.

1. A CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL OUTLET OF TUBULAR STRIP FORM COMPRISING ASTRIP OF FLEXIBLE INSULATING MATERIAL HAVING A LONGITUDINAL CONTINUOUSSLIT THROUGH ITS SURFACE, EACH EDGE OF THE SLIT HAVING A STRIP OFELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE SHEET METAL FOLDED THEREON TO PROVIDE ACONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL CONTACT, AND EACH STRIP OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVESHEET METAL BEING IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH AN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVEWEB MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID FLEXIBLE INSULATING MATERIAL.